Former EU Watchdog Slams Commission Over Culture of Secrecy

Emily O’Reilly, until recently the European Union’s ombudsman, has strongly criticized the European Commission over its lack of transparency, warning that such an approach could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.

Speaking at a Brussels press conference to launch the Democracy27 initiative, she described the Commission’s handling of information as “elitist and anti-democratic”, according to Politico.

O’Reilly, who served as European Ombudsman from 2013 to 2025, said she had often been “frustrated” that the Commission ignored her office’s recommendations and acted “time and time again” as if “the people couldn’t be trusted with certain information”.

One of the most prominent disputes concerned the European Commission’s contracts for Covid-19 vaccines. O’Reilly said her recommendations on the issue had been “legally sound” and “valid”, but were still not acted on.

The criticism comes as NGOs, media outlets and former EU commissioners have long accused the Commission of a culture of secrecy under President Ursula von der Leyen. Critics say she has centralized decision-making and acted too unilaterally.

The European Commission did not immediately respond to Politico’s request for comment.

(max)